Best of the Best: 2010
It's the last day of the year. I thought it only fitting to stop and take a look back at the "Best of the Best" for 2010 to reflect on the posts that resonated the most with Taste As You Go readers. If you felt strongly about any of these posts, I'd love to know why!
Best of the Best Recipes of 2010
10 - Pomegranate Double Chocolate Chip Cookies - These cookies call for fresh pomegranate arils, which provide a pop of color and burst of tangy flavor in contrast to the smooth sweetness of the white chocolate chips. The extra effort is most certainly worth it, as these cookies would be perfect for Christmas or even Valentine's Day!
9 - Sweet and Spicy Bacon - I didn't think anything could beat the combination of salty and sweet, but when you layer on some spice, you wind up with a new winning combination! Consider making a batch of this bacon at your next brunch gathering. You'll leave your guests wondering how you made bacon even better!
8 - Simple Summer Couscous Salad - When it's too hot to cook during the summer months, this salad makes a regular appearance in my kitchen. You can make the couscous in the microwave if you don't want to heat up the house by using the stove, and the recipe is versatile enough that you can alter it to use up any vegetables you may have on hand. Light and refreshing -- you can't go wrong!
7 - Southwestern Stuffed Baked Potatoes - My take on the stuffed baked potato is completely vegetarian. The black beans are substantial enough that you won't even miss the meat!
6 - Merlot Cream Cheese Brownies - What do you do with that last bit of wine left in the bottle? Bake with it! The merlot adds an incredible depth of flavor to the chocolate and elevates the simple dessert bar so it's elegant enough to serve as a dessert at your next cocktail party.
5 - Orange Whole Wheat Challah French Toast - Even though I'm not the biggest French toast fan, I still love knowing I have a special recipe up my sleeve for when I'm making breakfast at home for my boyfriend and me. The orange flavor is subtle and accentuated by the teeniest splash of vanilla extract.
4 - Chicken with Creamy Mushrooms and Snap Peas - When I was growing up, my mother used to make this God-awful casserole with chicken, rice, and a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup. I always thought it smelled like a gym locker or a really, really ripe pair of tennis shoes (sorry, Mom, but it's true), and I'd dread the nights when I saw the ingredients for that casserole out on the kitchen counter. Thanks to this dish, I've let go of my distaste for the combination of chicken, cream, and mushrooms. Just wish my mother were still alive to try it.
3 - Simple Home Fries - I often have breakfast for dinner because it's easy to prepare in the middle of the week. More often than not, I make up a batch of these home fries to go along my scrambled eggs and toast. They're so easy to prepare, I guarantee you'll use my method of making home fries from here on out!
2 - Baby Spinach Salad with Warm Olive Oil, Walnuts, and Comice Pears - This is a great winter salad that features the in-season pear. Use whatever pear you like best! You could even swap out the walnuts for pecans or whole almonds. I love altering the components of a great salad so I'm always trying something new. I have to do something to keep my brain interested!
1 - Ginger and Garlic Broccoli with Brown Rice - I'm a sucker for Chinese take-out but don't always have the money in my budget to indulge my cravings. I came up with this easy recipe as a substitute for the Broccoli and Garlic Sauce I always tend to order for delivery. Budget-friendly and good for you thanks to the brown rice!
Best of the Best Restaurant Reviews of 2010
10 - More Than I Bargained For at Blue Fin
9 - Food Memories of Phoenix
8 - So-So Sunday Brunch at The Standard Grill
7 - Brunch at Faces & Names with the Girls (and Christopher Walken)
6 - Mixed Vibe at West 3rd Common
5 - Girls Night Out at Cafeteria
4 - Odd Little Outing to New York Hotdog & Coffee
3 - Brunch at Philip Marie Restaurant
2 - Take a Break from Meat at Josie's East
1 - Springtime in Paris... on the Upper East Side
Thank you all so much for reading and commenting over the past year! I'm looking forward to sharing much, much more with you in 2011!
Best wishes to you and yours in the new year!
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